If you try the repair install with your DVD and it tells you that you have a newer version of Windows, then the DVD you have does not have SP1 installed.
Also, as a precaution, I would recommend backing up any important user files before doing the repair install, just in case.
Thanks, What crucial things are saved in user files. Except for I tunes settings I don't keep anything in my user folder (I think). I think everything is either in C:Program files or on my Data drive (Images, Music data files, videos etc.). Is there anything in particular that is usually saved in user that I might overlook (except themes, account settings etc which I can change afterwards)?
Also (sorry for double post), I am not quite sure how the ISO image works. I just downloaded the image from the link indicated by FliGi7 Download Windows 7 ISO (Official 32-bit and 64-bit Direct Download Links) « My Digital Life Thats a 3GB file. Can I put that on an external hardrive and boot from there rather than burning it to a DVD? Also, can I use the same license number that I got with my retail DVD?
Check your user folders by clicking the folder on the task bar. Go through Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos and make sure there is nothing you want to keep. Also, check C:\Users\yournamehere\Downloads for any downloaded files you might want to keep from the internet.
If you have a USB flash drive, you can install from it. You cannot install from an external hard drive because your drivers are not loaded during boot (unless you happen to have an eSATA connection). USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create
You may use your retail key as long as it is only used on this one system. If you have used it on another computer, then you will need to remove Windows from the other system before installing it on this one. If the key you are currently running with on this system is already the retail version you speak of, then you are fine using it again after the repair install finishes.
I used Panda vaccine to vaccinate the drive (this disables autorun). Will that be a problem or will that be removed in the process of creating the bootable drive?
Also; just to make sure I understand. In step 21 on the tutorial it says I need to copy files from the disk. Now with the ISO image, do I need to open the ISO file it with a program (e.g. MagicDisk) and then copy the files to the thumb drive or do I just copy the ISO disk image file as a whole? (or does it not matter)?? Thanks so much for all the help by the way... I hope I won't have to bug you too often anymore... BTW just reinstalled with my original retail disk and the problem is still there...)
You will need to extract the contents (7-zip works nicely for this, as well) and put them on the drive you are installing from.
Autorun probably does not need to be enabled as long as you know how to start the setup off the drive without it.
Last edited by writhziden; 24 Mar 2012 at 17:31. Reason: Grub4Dos is needed for clean install, not repair install...
Ok; I just tried it with a DVD. I burned a DVD with free ISO burner and tried to install. However, it said that the current windows is too advanced to upgrade. Thus I followed step 5 in the tutorial Repair Install. However, the "setup.exe" file on the DVD cannot be changed (or at least I don't see a "compatibility" tab). I can change it when open the ISO file with say magic disk. Is there any way to fix this? Or is it easier with a thumb drive (i.e. I extract the files, change the setup and copy it on the thumb drive)? In that case I need to buy one. I realized that the one I have doesn't work... Finally, will the program install SP1 afterwards/is there a way to get SP1 afterwards and will my license key still work even though the retail DVD that I have is a newer version? Thanks so much
So to be clear: You removed SP1 and are you still receiving the message that Windows is too advanced to upgrade?
Which version did you download and burn from ISO? You should have Windows 7 with SP1 integrated downloaded... Windows 7 Professional x64 with SP1
I have had the same problem.
Windows 7, 64 bits Home Edition.
COM Surrogate problem only happens when using the MS picture and Fax viewer.
None on the suggestions in this thread had any impact on the problem.
The error started about 2 weeks ago, so I searched back throught updates and program installs until I found the culprit.
It turned out to be "Intel HD Grachics driver" update, which was an optional update. Rolling back the driver has fixed the problem.
Hope this helps
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